California Municipal Law Blog
category:
Public Utilities

KEY GENERAL LEGISLATIVE UPDATES 2025

by on December 31, 2024

posted in Administrative Regulations, Code Enforcement, Employment Law, Public Records Act, Public Utilities, Public Works, Uncategorised,

All bills are effective January 1, 2025 unless otherwise provided. PUBLIC RECORDS ACT Voluntary Disclosure of a Police Officer Termination – SB 400: Amends Penal Code 832.7 by adding (b)(13) which provides for voluntary disclosure by a public agency of the reason for termination for cause for the type of incident which must be disclosed.             13) Notwithstanding subdivision (a) or any other law, an agency that formerly employed a peace officer or custodial officer may, without receiving a request for disclosure, disclose to the public the termination for cause ... Continue Reading

tags: New laws, Public Records Act,

New Laws Take Effect in 2020: General Municipal Update

by on January 21, 2020

posted in Employment Law, Legislative Updates, Public Records Act, Public Utilities, Water,

Introduction The majority of the bills from 2019 addressed wildfires, affordable housing and emergency/homeless shelters.  The housing bills from last year will be addressed in a separate post.  A separate post on new bills affecting law enforcement will also be added.  ... Continue Reading

tags: data collection, gender diversity, Independent Contractors, New laws, planning, public works, Sexual Harassment Training, surplus property, urban water retailers, wages, zoning,

Under Proposition 26, Cities are Limited When Transferring Utility Receipts Into General Fund

by on February 4, 2015

posted in Propositions 13/26/218, Public Utilities,

Under a court ruling issued in January of this year, cities must be careful when transferring money from utility accounts into the general fund. The City of Redding owns an electrical utility.  Because it is publicly owned, it is exempt from the one percent ad valorem tax imposed on privately-owned California utilities.  The City requires the utility department to pay the city’s general fund a one percent “Payment In Lieu Of Taxes,” or “PILOT” fee, for the city’s general use. In Citizens for Fair REU Rates v. City of Redding, the state Court of Appeal held that the PILOT ... Continue Reading

tags: General Fund, PILOT Fee, Proposition 26,